OUR STAFF The program staff at Newfound Harbor
Marine Institute bring a touch of their hometowns when they come to
our corner of Paradise. Interns and instructors hail from every
region of the US, from New England to the Midwest and from the
Pacific Northwest to Hawaii. We also participate in a year-long
internship program with the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Our interns and instructors possess a wide variety of college
degrees. While many earned degrees in the marine sciences, others
entered our program with degrees in Psychology, English, Business,
Chemistry, Education and Fine Arts. All are driven by an inspiring
interest in marine biology. Our program staff are not limited to
college graduates, as many interns accept the challenge of a
semester at NHMI for their pre-professional training. Through their
training at NHMI, their teaching experiences and the requirements
outlined by the university, they obtain academic credit for a
semester internship.

The staff's diversity is further enhanced by the combination
of life and work experiences that they bring to NHMI. Our program
staff have previous experience working with children as summer camp
counselors, environmental educators, tutors, swim instructors, and
classroom teachers. They have conducted marine mammal research,
botanical research, avian research, worked at tropical field
stations, and participated in semester at sea programs. Others
still guided programs at several museums, nature centers and
aquaria across the US.

The NHMI internship is based on six to eight weeks of focused
training. Staff learn boat handling skills and US Coast Guard
boating rules to captain our 26 ft. oceanic research vessels. They
also obtain American Red Cross certifications in Lifeguarding, CPR
and Advanced First Aid. Our Intern Coordinator, Program Director
and Assistant Program Director conduct seminars and hands-on
training workshops in mangrove ecology, reef fish ecology, coastal
ecology, shark biology, coral reef ecology and field techniques.
Interns are required to participate in teaching techniques
seminars, program observations, and team teaching sessions.